Bedfordtimesregister.com - Bearcats fall to Harding, split tournament

by Michael Leonard

Sports Editor

Bedford -- The Bedford boys basketball team has long been known for playing as rigorous a schedule as any Northeast Ohio public school.

Evidence of that was available over Christmas break.

After losing 82-72 to Warren G. Harding at home Dec. 21, Bedford blasted Collinwood 86-60 Dec. 28 in the opening game of the Hoops on Northfield Tournament. However, Bedford lost to crossroad rival St. Peter Chanel in the title game Dec. 29.

The Bearcats record stands at 5-4, 3-0 in the Lake Erie League Erie Division.

Collinwood came to Bedford as a last-minute replacement for East Tech, who backed out of the tournament. For three quarters, the Railroaders defied a huge size disadvantage and kept the game competitive.

Bearcat coach Everett Heard said his team's effort was lacking in the first half.

"We came out and were just going through the motions," Heard said. "What hurt us in the first quarter was our rebounding. Sometimes, it seems we go through stretches were we didn't box out. In the second half, we did a much better job of handling our business."

There were some offensive highlights for the Bearcats, including an inbounds pass from guard Randal Holt which led right to an alley-oop to forward Robert Johnson, but Collinwood stayed with the 'Cats for the entire half. The game was tied at 17 after one quarter and Bedford had a lead of 37-32 at half.

Bedford seemed to restore order by starting the third quarter on a 9-0 run. Holt keyed the run with a three-pointer and an old-fashioned three-point play.

A three-pointer by guard Reggie Lewis gave the Bearcats a 50-36 lead with 4:40.

Once again, the Railroaders refused to fold. A couple of three-point plays by Juan Stewart helped bring the deficit back to single digits, and Bedford led 59-50.

What happened next was arguably the Bearcats best stretch of ball all season.

Bedford's offense exploded in the fourth, as Bedford opened the quarter on a 25-2 run. The run only ended when Heard emptied his bench with 2:35 remaining.

Collinwood coach Paul Green was at a loss to describe what happened to his team during the run.

"I imagine there was too much Reggie Keely, but that doesn't excuse us from what happened," Green said. "If we were able to stay with them for three quarters, we should be able to do it for four."

The Bearcats' center was unstoppable during the run, as was Holt. Keely seemed to snatch every rebound in the fourth quarter while pouring in 10 points. He finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds on the night.

Holt scored 26 points for the second consecutive game, despite not looking to shoot first until the fourth quarter.

"I really wanted to get my teammates more involved in the first half," Holt said. "I think we just came out non-chalant tonight."

Johnson scored 14 points for Bedford in the win.

In the loss to Warren Harding, Holt scored 26 points and got help from Johnson (13 points), Keely (12) and Lewis (10).

However, the Bearcats' defense had no answers for the undefeated Radiers in the second half, particularly Sheldon Brogdon. Brogdon put in nine of his team-high 21 points in fourth quarter as Harding turned a 32-31 halftime lead into a 10-point win.

"There were a lot of Division I [college] players going at it in that game," Heard said. "It was a two-minute [midway through] the fourth quarter where they made their layups and we missed some easy shots. That was the difference in the game.

Against Chanel, Bedford was vanquished by Chanel center Lamar McKnight, who outscored Keely 25-18. Chanel also got 18 from Arthur Jordan and 16 from JoVaughn Brown.

Holt led the Bearcats with 22 points, while Trotty had 14 and Lewis had 10.

Bedford will continue the homestand this week, as they will host backyard rival Maple Heights Jan. 4 and then welcome Lakewood Jan. 8.

E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113